A career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a fulfilling path for those passionate about applying the science of food and nutrition to improve the health and well-being of individuals and groups. RDNs are employed in diverse settings, including healthcare facilities, government and public health agencies, food companies, schools and universities, private practice, and increasingly in wellness and fitness programs, as well as sales and marketing within business and industry. This article outlines the steps and requirements to become a registered dietitian.
Educational Foundation
The cornerstone of becoming an RDN is a solid education in nutrition and dietetics. The minimum requirement is a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. However, as of January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a minimum of a graduate degree to be eligible to take the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credentialing exam.
Accredited Programs
To ensure a high standard of education, it is essential to choose a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). These programs include a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), which encompasses the core science, nutrition, foods, and food management courses necessary to meet ACEND's accreditation standards. Colleges and universities across the US with accredited Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Nutrition & Dietetics programs must include didactic curricula approved by ACEND.
Coursework
Dietetics students delve into various subjects, including chemistry, biology, microbiology, nutrition, communication, food science, and management. Curricula include courses in nutritional biochemistry, human nutrition, developmental nutrition, exercise physiology, metabolism, medical nutrition therapy, food service management and organization, social sciences, education, business, management, and food production. Specific planned learning experiences are detailed in the Department’s course listings.
Critical Tracking
To ensure students stay on track, Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses required for their major. Students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses to remain on track. A semester plan represents an example progression through the major, but actual courses and their order may vary based on the student's academic record and course availability.
Read also: RD Career Path
Supervised Practice: The Dietetic Internship
The next crucial step is completing a dietetic internship (DI), a supervised practice program accredited by ACEND. The dietetic internship is a formal program that provides for the achievement of performance requirements by providing a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice experience. This provides practical, applied education and allows students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. These programs are conducted in various settings, such as hospitals, community organizations, government agencies, businesses, or universities. Internships are available throughout the United States and vary in length from six to twelve months for "traditional" programs.
Gaining Admission to an Internship
The number of appointments to Supervised Practice programs is limited and competitive nationally. Increasing the chances of being a successful applicant to a Dietetic Internship begins in the first year of college by working to obtain and maintain the best possible GPA, acquiring extensive volunteer experience, being active in student organizations and working closely with dietetics faculty. Students may apply to as many internship programs as they desire. Applications to internships are accepted in September (for December graduates) and February (for May graduates).
Applying to Dietetic Internships
The first step in the process of applying to dietetic internships is to carefully review the current edition of the Directory of Dietetics Programs-Accredited and Approved. Complete the online application for each Dietetic Internship, DICAS. If a D.I. Computer matching serves as a clearinghouse to help applicants obtain Dietetic Internship positions of their choice and to help Dietetic Internships obtain applicants of their choice. It eliminates unfair pressures and premature decisions on and by programs to accept or reject applicants, and it eliminates unfair pressures on applicants to accept or reject an appointment into a Dietetic Internship. Each Dietetic Internship reviews its own applications and, like students, submits a priority listing of applicants to D & D Digital Systems, along with the number of positions they have to fill. Before matching begins, the applicant priority lists and the Dietetic Internships lists are "cleaned." If a program does not rank an applicant, that program will be removed from the applicant's list. If an applicant does not rank a program, the applicant is removed from the program's list. Then, the matching process takes place using the applicant's prioritized list and the programs' prioritized list until all possible matches are complete.
Strategies for a Successful Application
Select programs that are in less popular geographic regions. Historically, locations on both coasts receive proportionately more applicants than others. It can be beneficial if you apply to locations other than New York and New England. Select programs that do not provide stipends and choose programs that charge fees. Everyone would like to receive a large stipend while completing an experience program. Therefore, those that offer stipends are very competitive. Select programs where you will be the only ASU graduate applying. Compare notes with your friends, Dietetic Internships are strengthened by students from a variety of college and university settings. When you and your best friend apply to the same place, you are competing against each other. Read all parts very carefully. Identify everything that must be done and when it must be accomplished. Allow yourself and others ample time to do a totally professional job in preparing the application. These materials are usually your only opportunity to sell yourself. Follow all directions carefully. If a program does not specify complete directions (for example, whether the letter of application is to be typed or handwritten), you are expected to make a decision. You may call the program director for clarification but usually type all materials. Give careful thought to your letter of application and/or resume (Link to resume writing). Discuss your interests in dietetics, goals, and what you have gained from courses, work experience, community campus involvement, etc. Add to rather than just duplicate information the reviewers will read in your application. Answer all questions and include all information requested in appropriate detail. The content of the letter of application is to be your work. Do not ask anyone else to write it for you. The best letter is one you introduce yourself in your own way. The letter must be well organized, informative, grammatically correct and professional in content and appearance. Ask faculty, supervisors, advisors, and employers for recommendations as directed in each application packet. Be sure you communicate fully and personally with those you ask to write a recommendation for you. If there are forms to be completed, envelopes required, waivers to be signed, or if specific points are to be addressed, be sure to indicate these facts to the person writing the recommendation. Letters should be requested well in advance of the time they are needed. All letters for fall internships that are requested from AppState faculty must be requested before the second week in December. Otherwise, faculty will likely be unable to give the attention needed to such an important document. Also, faculty usually need a copy of your resume for use in writing recommendations. Some faculty will require additional information. Prepare envelopes, headings, forms, etc. very neatly and carefully. Be sure titles are correct and names spelled properly. Remember: All materials you submit represent you. Remember to thank those who have been kind enough to assist you in this process with a thank you card. You will need a complete set of official transcripts from every college you have attended for each Dietetic Internship to which you apply. Allow at least eight weeks to receive these, especially if you are requesting transcripts from other colleges. Transcripts must be official. It is a good idea to request two or three official transcripts in addition to those that you know you must have. A few Dietetic Internships require a physical exam before final acceptance. If one is requested, make arrangements with your physician. Most programs will require a physical after your acceptance or when you arrive for the program. Personal health enables you to do your best and to profit from your internship experiences. It is best to be straightforward about health problems or concerns that you may have. Internship directors vary in their desire for a personal interview. Some directors discourage interviews but encourage group tours or attendance at open houses. Some directors feel that on-site interviews are an unnecessary expense. Others believe that some prospective students should not be greeted in person unless all can be. On the other hand, some directors encourage or even require in person or telephone interviews of finalists. Follow the lead given on the D.I. Do not insist on an interview if it seems the director is hesitant to provide this opportunity. Do take advantage of interviews, open houses or tours if permitted or invited to do so. Currently enrolled undergraduate students applying for Dietetic Internships must obtain an Intent to Complete Form indicating the courses they will need to complete before graduating. These forms are available from the Dietetics Director. Students who already have graduated need to obtain a completed Verification Statement from the DPD Director. The DPD Director will complete required statements for you after you request the number of forms required. Again, these applications are completed at an extremely busy time of year. It is important to plan ahead so that you may complete your application in a timely fashion.
Computer Matching
To insure individual privacy and security, a personal login and password will be given to each applicant. Notification will be either that a student was or was not matched with one Dietetic Internship. the day after notification. The matching/selection process is not perfect, but it is the fairest system. Nevertheless, well qualified capable students may not receive a match with a dietetic internship on their initial application. Students who are not recipients of an appointment are encouraged to reapply for the next appointment date, if they so desire. In many cases re-application indicates your sincere desire to become a Registered Dietitian, and it is looked at as a strength rather than a weakness. Students who are not recipients may also elect to take the Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) examination.
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Verification of Internship Completion
Upon successful completion of a DI, graduates are eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam, to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN).
Registration Examination
After completing the necessary education and supervised practice, the final step is to pass the national registration examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). This exam assesses the candidate's knowledge and competence in dietetics.
RD Examination - Eligibility Requirements
Below are the key requirements to become eligible for the RD Examination: Degree: A minimum of a graduate degree from a USDE-recognized accredited institution (or equivalent).
Applying for the Examination
At this point, students may apply to the ACEND’s Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) to take the dietetic registration examination and become RDN-eligible on the CDR Registry.
Maintaining Registration
After successfully passing the national exam and earning the credential, RDNs maintain ongoing professional development in order to stay up to date on the latest research, recommendations and best practices. As a Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), you must renew your registration every five years. Complete a minimum of 75 continuing professional education units (CPEUs) during each renewal period.
Read also: Explore Registered Dietitian Careers
Additional Considerations
Individuals With Foreign Degrees
Each country has their own credentialing agency with policies and procedures that an individual must comply with to meet registration eligibility requirements and become credentialed in that country. Individuals who want to be credentialed as a RD in the US must comply with CDR’s eligibility (i.e., degree, didactic, and supervised practice) and examination requirements. If your degree is from outside the US, you are required to have your transcript evaluated by an approved Foreign Degree Evaluation Agency. A detailed course-by-course evaluation is recommended. After receiving your evaluation report, you will need to contact the program director of an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), Graduate Program (GP) or Coordinated Program (CP) to request they review your transcript and foreign degree evaluation report. They will determine to what degree your prior learning meets current requirements and counsel you regarding any additional coursework needed to complete their program requirements.
Reciprocity Agreements
Individuals who have completed the education and credentialing requirements in one country may be eligible for another country's credentialing examination if the two countries have entered into a "reciprocity" agreement to allow this.
State Licensure
Meet requirements to practice in your state. Many states have regulatory laws (i.e. licensure) for food and nutrition practitioners. All states accept the RDN credential for state licensure purposes. In addition to the RDN credential, several states (including North Carolina) require licensure. Individuals should review their state’s licensing statutes and regulations to understand the specific requirements, including supervised practice and examinations, needed to obtain a dietetics license.
Career Outlook and Salary
According to the 2024 Compensation & Benefits Survey of the Dietetics Profession, the median full-time salary of RDNs is $79,000 per year. As with any profession, salaries and fees vary by region of the country, employment settings, scope of responsibility and supply of RDNs. Employment of registered dietitians and nutritionists is expected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034. Career options and specialty areas for dietitians are diverse and flexible.
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